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| Photo courtesy of wizkhalifa.com. |
The Big Gig is finally upon us, but now what? With more than 700 bands playing on 11 stages, it can be overwhelming to figure out what is worth seeing and what should be walked past briskly. That’s why you keep us around. Over the next two weeks, Music Notes will be providing you with a daily itinerary of can’t-miss shows and tips on how to make the most out of the world’s largest music festival!
Tuesday, July 5
12 p.m.: The Presidents at Miller Lite Oasis
Like Gerald Ford and John Tyler, rock band The Presidents only gained its Summerfest perch due to something going tragically wrong. While impeachment and pneumonia exalted Ford and Tyler respectively, poor Tuesday noon booking is to blame for The Presidents taking office at the Miller Lite Oasis. However, when examining the other 12 and 12:30 candidates, The Presidents get my vote (and the votes of my dead pets and relatives… shhhh!) for best band playing an unsavory time slot. Congratulations if you read this entire thing.
2 p.m.: Rev Raven and The Chain Smoking Altar Boys at Harley-Davidson Roadhouse
Wisconsin bluesman Rev Raven has opened for B.B. King and has backed Madison Slim for a decade. Now in his rightful place at the front of the stage, he, with the help of his altar boys, should provide an apt musical accompaniment for a crowd of 40somethings looking to tie one on in cycle city. An added bonus, Rev Raven sings, “They wanna jiggle my junk” in one song. Hilarious.
5 p.m.: Led Zeppelin 2 at Miller Lite Oasis
Personally, I’m holding out for a Zeppelin reunion—it’s just a resurrection and a complete interpersonal overhaul away!—by summer’s end. That failing, the dudes in novelty act Led Zeppelin 2 is here to try and mimic the incomparable music gods to the best of their abilities. Jim DeRogatis of NPR and Chicago Sun-Times once wrote, “As good a Zep as Zep did back in the day.” That is probably wrong, but a good Led Zeppelin cover band beats no Led Zeppelin at all—and destroys Sean Emery “Funny Guy Juggling Stuff.” Just kidding, Emery. I wish I could juggle.
6 p.m.: elusive parallelograms at Cascio Interstate Music Stage
Milwaukee’s own elusive parallelograms is almost as difficult a band to describe as it is to spell. Its recipe includes trace amounts of Modest Mouse, The Hives, Flaming Lips and a whole mess of other mysterious and functionally clashing elements. Like sausage, you don’t need to know how it’s made, but the end product is enjoyable.
7:30 p.m.: Def Leppard with special guest Heart at Marcus Amphitheater
Is there really anything I can write here that will sway you to attend or not attend this show? If you intend on going, you already have tickets and are waiting with bated breath to see two classic rock powerhouses. If not, see Faux Fir instead… or eat some BBQ or something.
10 p.m.: Wiz Khalifa at Harley-Davidson Roadhouse
If you’re seeing Switchfoot at the U.S. Cellular stage, I dare you to move over a few stages to witness up-and-coming rap phenomenon Wiz Khalifa. The youthful Pittsburgh native will spit rhymes about weed, women and an ode to his beloved Steelers, “Black and Yellow.”
